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Topic Review (Newest First)

02-13-2009 02:46 PM

Mr.NutCase

I just bought a Matco Test light, for 12 bucks ( With discount)
To bad it is made in china, but it is better than my 5 buck ones I used to use.
Are their pliers made in Twain?

07-18-2006 04:34 PM

Bryan59EC

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.NutCase

In January, in my Autoshop class teacher will teach us electrical, right now were are in Tires

{Because I don't know how to or own or work on puter vehicles.} Rob Keller

I got 2 t-birds--97 & 94 The guys at the FORD store know me
Anything goes wrong with the daily's----I refuse to deal with it
Call tow truck--use back-up car

Bryan

07-18-2006 03:37 PM

Ed ke6bnl

just bought a power probe II on ebay, has anyone discovered any good uses for the tool that might be differant then the instructions call for. thanks E d haven't got it but read the instruction sheet and it seem like a good tool.

05-04-2006 11:34 AM

Huskinhano

A good understanding of what you're working on.

05-03-2006 09:49 PM

sbchevfreak

They will be advertised as "computer safe", and most will have a circut board w/LEDs and resistors inside them. As stated before, a good DVOM is a better investment, and will do the job of a light, as well as many others. I know the price tag can be kind of intimidating, but just think of what the tag will be on the VCM on a new Solstice, or somehing.($500-$2000+ ) The meter will save time, money, and most of all remove that nagging doubt of "is this going to hurt anything". Second guessing causes more comebacks than anything other than ineptitude, in my experience.

05-03-2006 08:04 PM

Mr.NutCase

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbchevfreak

If you buy a new test light, I reccomend getting one that is "computer safe". If you hook into a computer controlled circut with an ordinary test light, you'll fry the ECM. Nowhere near enough resistance in that bulb to drop the amperage down, you basically created a short to ground. And nothing ever works right after you let the magic smoke out, .

Really, the best bet is a good quality DVOM. You need one with 10 mega ohms (10,000,000)or more to safely test ECM controlled circuts, and on newer vehicals, EVERYTHING is ECM controlled. My personal belief is that a $250 DVOM is better than a couple $500 ECM's. I have never used the PPII, but it sounds like a great tool, and I wouldn't mind test driving one for a couple days at work.

Are Craftsman Testlights computer safe?, how do I know they are computer safe?

05-03-2006 08:03 PM

Mr.NutCase

I went to sears and bought another set of test leads, they fit the multimeter, I had to trim them.

01-25-2006 01:37 PM

sbchevfreak

If you buy a new test light, I reccomend getting one that is "computer safe". If you hook into a computer controlled circut with an ordinary test light, you'll fry the ECM. Nowhere near enough resistance in that bulb to drop the amperage down, you basically created a short to ground. And nothing ever works right after you let the magic smoke out, .

Really, the best bet is a good quality DVOM. You need one with 10 mega ohms (10,000,000)or more to safely test ECM controlled circuts, and on newer vehicals, EVERYTHING is ECM controlled. My personal belief is that a $250 DVOM is better than a couple $500 ECM's. I have never used the PPII, but it sounds like a great tool, and I wouldn't mind test driving one for a couple days at work.

01-25-2006 12:22 PM

Mr.NutCase

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.NutCase

I have a Craftman multimeter, needs new test leads( Its my fault, I cut them, but I hope Crazy Glue works)but Sears no longer makes them. I was wondering is the actronIII meter #CP7665 is good?
Costs at $30 Pepboys, or should I buy Craftsman multimeter.

I fixed the multimeter leads, I used Crazy Glue and it works

12-26-2005 08:00 PM

HUH?

Really Cheap Tool

Tacking down electrical gremlins is one of the most frustrating jobs there
is. I would buy the best diagnostic tool I could afford.

A great, cheap little tool to double check your work as you wire a project
is a door open / left your key in the ignition 12 volt buzzer.
Attach alligator clips to the two leads and you are ready to go. Need to
check that your left turn signal overrides your left brake signal? Hook up
your ten cent tester out back and listen. I use a 12 volt toy transformer rather
than an auto battery to power up for testing, just in case!

I reject your reality and substitute my own.

12-26-2005 06:48 PM

Rob Keller

7 computers O M G!!!

No dude my fualt for being dumb arse I like learning stuff

I rented a 05 DeVille back in june to go to my brother funeral in NY and the car was sweet gadjet and what nots but Im a firm beliver in K.I.S.S.
Keep
It
Simple
Stupid
all those bells wistles and gadjets are great untill something breaks or a roach chews through a wire or something stupid

to me the cut off year is 1985 or 86 is when chevy went "puterized"

but the puterizations are impressive in how much power they squeez out which is cool until it dont work then you gotta be a smarty and or pay big bucks to have someone else fix it

Im not cheap ....just broke

SR66

12-26-2005 03:34 PM

Fast Orange

Rob-
No offense meant or taken.I should have explained my point better and sooner.
I wish I didn't have to deal with some of this new improved stuff too.Only problem is that my boss likes new and shiny stuff.If the carmakers stopped with all of this electronic crap around 1979 or so,life would be a lot simpler.
The boss just got himself a new company car-a Lexus SUV with every bell and whistle-touch screen climate control,navigation and sound system.It's supposed to have 7 separate computers in it.I told him to get the extended warranty and don't ever pull it into my shop-I don't even want to look under the hood.

George

12-25-2005 09:52 PM

Rob Keller

Fast Orange
TRUE!
My ignorance there ,definitely!

Because I don't know how to or own or work on puter vehicles.

VERY TRUE I never even thought about the complexities of Puter cars and their PITA components all my CRAP is OLD

I hope I never have [another] a car with a computer.

I know next to nothing about them its a" 50-50 " thing..
1/2 of wishes I did and the other 1/2 is glad I don't
eccentric thinking?? maybe stupid even ...

I had a 87 Suburban 350 TBI
was driving it and it started acting like a timing chain.

Tore it down .. wrong!

Replaced it while I was there .
NEW oil pump gears chain
H2O pump still don't run
catalytic converter ?nope
dist? nope
maps sensor ? nope
3 mechanics later find out the pick up coil on dist
(reman from car quest)
is wound back wards so its sending the timing so far advanced wouldn't run
all & all I spent over $6500. on it drove it less than 1,000 miles traded it for 77 F150 460 4bbl C-6 that im driving now

While I love technology I completely lack the education it takes to work on the things i barley have the skills to operate this PC

I definitely can see your point and I stand corrected on that level....learn me more

PS I didn't come here to have a argument in any way I just seen this thread active in my"CP"and had used it today so I thought I poke ...got poked back with a bigger stick !!

I hope you see the humor in that

thanks for NOT poking my eye out

SR66

12-25-2005 09:14 PM

TwistedTrbl

I'll let the argument go on between the test light and the PP......
If you stick with this field and when money allows, buy a Fluke multimeter. Yes they are expensive, but nothing is as accurate.

12-25-2005 07:45 PM

Fast Orange

Rob-
Don't get me wrong-I've got a PPII and find it to be a great tool,but until you know how to use it and are aware of what you can and can't ground/backfeed on the present generation of computerized/electronic cars,you're better off sticking with the basic test light and test leads.
You gotta walk before you can run,if you know what I mean.Backfeed the wrong wire with 12V and you can smoke a computer real quick,and we all know what that costs.While the PP can make it real easy and fast to troubleshoot and repair electrical problems when used by an experienced mechanic,in the hands of someone without experience,it makes it real easy to screw up before you realize what happened.If you have to take the time to figure out what you're jumping out or backfeeding to hook up the test leads/light,you'll have a chance to catch yourself before you get smoke.

George

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